Elevator



y 26,,1931- c. E. WILCOX 1,806,776

ELEVATOR Filed May 31, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 jvx z/vro A dam-2595 M4401 y v c. E. wlLcox 1,806,776

ELEVATOR Filed May 31, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 26, 1931 PATENT OFFICE" CHARLES WILCOX, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA ELEVATOR Application filed May 31, 1930. Serial No. 458,405.

This invention relates to a device for handling well drilling tools and equipment and relates more particularly" to an elevator for handling drill pipe, well casing, etc. It

5 is a general object of the invention to provide a safe, practical, and dependable elevator for handling drill pipe, Well casing, and like objects.

Devices commonly known as elevators are used in well drilling rigs for handling drill pipe, well casing, and various other well drilling equipment. The types of elevators in general use embody parts or sections that are adapted to be arranged around an object such as a drill pipe and which are adapted to engage a coupling, or the like, on the drill pipe to raise or support the plpe. Elevators are often arranged in 'positlon around the pipe or work very quickly or while in motion and it sometimes occurs that the work embracing or engaging parts are "not properly latched together before actuation of the elevator for raising the work. When this occurs the elevator may engage and raise the work and then permitit to fall to the floor of the derrick.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an elevator for handling well drilling tools and equipment that is particularly safe and dependable in operation and which is simple and convenient to operate.

It is another ob ect of this invention to provide an elevator in which the work en-.

gaging parts are either automatically latched together around the work :or are fully disengaged from the work when the not materially weaken or complicate the construction and doesnot interfere with the normal manual operation of the sections.

It is another object of this invention to provide an elevator of the character mentioned in which the means for automatically latching the sections together or for disengaging the sections from the work is entirely automatic in its operation and does not require manual setting or adjusting.

Another object of this invention is to provide an elevator of the character mentioned in which the means for automatically latching the sections together or for disengaging the sections from the work, in the event that the elevator is operated to engage the work before proper latching of the sections, is independent of the connectionsbetween the work engaging sections of the elevator.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an elevator of the character mentioned that is particularly simple and sturdy in construction and which is easy and convenient to handle androperate.

Other objects and features of my invention will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description of typical forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which: 7

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of the elevator provided by the present invention showing it in the closed position around a drill pipe. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the gate section in the open position. Fig. 3 is a side elevation or front view of the elevator illustrating the gate section in the closedposition around the drill pipe. Fig. t-is a front elevation'of the elevator, being a view showing the gate section in the open position. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the elevator. Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view, being a view taken as indicated by line 66 .on Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 7 7 on Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged horizontal detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 8-8 on Fig. 3, being a View illustrating the parts in the closed or actuated position. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the gate and the automatic closing means in the open or partially operated position. Fig. 10 is a vertical detailed sectional view of an eleiii -;suspending the elevator.

vator illustrating a modified form of automatic gate actuating mechanism, and Fig. 11 is an enlarged horizontal detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 11-11 on Fig. 10.

The elevator construction provided by the present invention is suitable for embodiment in various types of elevators for handling various well drilling equipment. The invention is particularly adapted for embodiment in the side door type of elevator and throughout the following description the invention will be disclosed as embodied in a side door type of elevator for handling well drill pipe. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular form and application about to be described but that it is to be taken as including any features or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

The elevator provided by the present invention includes, generally, two main sections, namely, a body section A and a gate section B adapted to be arranged around a drill pipe P, or the like, means C for releasably holding or latching the sections A and B together around the pipe P, and means D for automatically operating the sections A and B together to'the latched position around the pipe or for automatically disengaging the sections from the drill pipe in the event that the sections are not properly latched together around the pipe by the means C.

The main or body section A of the elevator is provided with a vertical recess or open-sided opening for receiving the pipe P. The body section A is preferably comparatively large and heavy in construction and may be in the nature of an integral body. Projecting bail ears 11 are provided at diametrically opposite sides of the body section to receive bails 12 for carrying or In the particular Form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, there are two vertically spaced bail ears 11 at opposite sides of the body section A. Pins or bolts 13 may be arranged between the outer end portions of the ears 11 to prevent displacement of the bails 12. The bolts 13 may be slidable in openings 14 in the upper ears 11 and may be provided with projecting pins 15 adapted to fitinto bayonet slots 16 in the upper bail ears. The pins 15 may be arranged in the slots 16 to hold the bolts 13 up to permit the bails 12 to be arranged between or removed from between the bail cars 11. The upper side 17 of the body section A is preferably made flat to effectively receive or carry a coin lin 18 or like )ro'ectin )art on the pipe P.

The gate section B is in the form of a closure for the opening 10 and is adapted to extend around and retain the pipe P in the opening. The gate section B is preferably substantially semi-circular in plan configuration having a curved inner side 19 to receive or engage the pipe P. The gate section B is connected with the main or body section A so that it may be readily operated between the open position, such illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, where the pipe may be arranged in the opening 10, and the closed position where it retains the pipe in the opening.

The connection between the sections A and B is preferably in the nature of a pivotal connection. In the particular case illustrated vertically spaced lugs 20 are provided at one end of the gate section B to extend into spaced openings or recesses 21 in the body section A and a pivot pin 22 extends through openings in the body section A, and the lugs 22 pivotally mount the gate section on the body section. A suitable handle 2% may be provided on the outer side of the gate section B to facilitate operation or handling of the section.

The means C for releasably holding the sections A and B together around the pipe P is operable to releasably hold the gate section B in the closed position where it retains the pipe in the opening 10 and is in the nature of a latch means, In accordance with the broader principles of the invention any suitable form of latch or latching device may be incorporated in the elevator for releasably holding the gate section B in the closed position. In the drawings I have illustrated an improved type of latch 25 pivotally carried by the body section A to cooperate with a latch catch or lug QG at free or outer endof the gate section B.

lhe latch 25 includes a vertically arranged part 27 to cooperate with the lug 26 andvertically spaced arms 28 projecting from the part 27 and pivotally connected to the body section A. The arms 28 extend into spaced horizontal openings 29 in the body section A and are pivoted intermediate their ends in the openings 29 on a suitable pivot pin 30. The horizontal openings 29 are sufliciently long to permit the necessary pivoting 01" the latch to allow for the cooperation and disengagementof the part 27 and the lug 26. Springs 31 are arranged under compression between the arms 28 and the inner walls of the openings 29 to norn'ially yieldingly hold the part 27 in cooperative engagement with the lug 26 and to normally hold the latch in a position where it will engage and cooperate with the lug 26 upon operation of the gate section B to the closed position. 7'

The means D is operable by a coupling 18 or other projecting part on the pipe 1 to either swing the gate section B- 'to the closed position where it will aut-on'iaticallv be retained by the latch means C or to disiengage the sections A and B from the pipe with the pipe P by the means D depends upon the position of the gate section B when the means D is operated.

The means D includes an arm 32 in connection withthe gate section B and a vertically shiftable pin 33 operable by a coupling 18 to engage the arm 32 to swing or operate the gate section B. The arm 32 is provided at the pivoted end of the gate section B and may be integral with the gate section. The arm 32 projects horizontally from the inner or pivoted end of the gate section and extends into a horizontal opening or recess 34 provided in the walls of the body opening 10 when the gate section B is in the partially closed or fully closed position. Downwardly and outwardly extending beveled or cam faces are provided at opposite sides of the arm 32. The, cam faces 35 are preferably provided adjacent the outer end ofthe arm 32 and diverge downwardly and outwardly from the upper side of the arm 32. The faces 35 are provided on the opposite sides of the arm 32 and are preferably substantially opposite so that there is a comparatively narrowportion of the upperside of the arm between them.

The pin 33 is slidably arranged in a vertical opening 36in the body communicating wlth the upper side of the opening or recess 34. The lower end of the pin 33 is adapted to engage either-of the faces 35 for operating the gate section B. The lower end of the pin 33 is pointed or made convergent to effectively operate onthe cam faces 35 to cause pivoting of the. gate section B upon downward movement of the pin. The upper end of the pin 33 normally projects into a recess 37 in the upper side 17 of the body section. A head 38 may be provided at the upper end of the pin 33 to slidably operate in the opening 36 and to normally pro ect into the recess 37. Means is provided in 'connectionwith the pin 33 for normally yieldingly holding the pin in an up position where the head 38 projects into the recess 37 and the lower end of the pin is free of the horizontal opening A spring 39 may be arranged under compression between the head 38 and a shoulder in the opening 36 to normally yieldingly hold'the pin in the up osition. I

T e arm 32 and the pin33 are positioned and related so that when the gate section B is in a position where its outer end is adjacent the latch 25, that is, when the gate section 'B is in a position where the lug 26 is adjacent to or engaging the latch but is not in latching engagement with the part 27, the lower end of the pin 33 engages the cam face 35 at the inner side of the arm 32 when the. pin is moved downwardly to swing the gate sectionB to the fully closed position where the lug 26 is in latching engagement with the part 27, and are related so that when the gate section B is in a partially closed position where its outer or free end is spaced a considerable distance from the latch 25 and the pin 33 is operated downwardly, the lower end of the pin engages the cam face 35 at the outer side of the arm 32 to swing the gate section B to a fully open position; When the gate section B is in the open position, the arm 32 projects into the opening 10 of the body. When the gate section B is operated to the open position by the means D, the arm 32 engages the drill pipe P and fully disengages the sections A and B'of the elevator from the drill pipe so that they will not engage the coupling 18.' When the elevator is arranged around the drill pipe P, the arm 32 engages the v pipe to aid in closing the gate section B.

A member 40 is'provided in the recess u( for engaging and operating the pin 33 downwardlyupon operation of the elevator to engage the coupling 18. The member 40 is arranged in the recess 37 so that it is adapted to be engaged by the coupling 18 and engages the head 38 of the pin 33. The outer end of the pin actuating member 40 is pivotally attached to the body by a suitable pivot pin 41 extendinghorizontally through the recess 37. The member 40 extends inwardly to the pipe receiving openinglO and a guide flange 42 may beprovided on the upper side of the member 40 a short distance inwardly of the inner end of the member. 'The head 38 of the pin 33 engages the under side of the member 40 to normally yleldingly hold the member in an up positlon where it projects above the upper side 17 of the section A. Asuitable cover or protectlng plate 44 may be provided over the outer portlons of the member 40 to limit theupward movement of the member and to protect the member. The pin actuating member 40 is proportioned so that it is flush with the upper side 17 of the section A when the coupl1ng18 is supported on the upper side of the elevator. It will be obvious how downward movement of the member 40 through engagement with the coupling 18 Wlll cause downward movement of the pin .33 to actuate the arm 32 in the event that the gate section B is not in the fully closed or latched position.

In Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings I have shown a form of mechanism for operating the gate section B of the elevator that may be optionally set to either swing the gate section to the open position upon engagement of the coupling C by the elevator izo or to swing the gate section B to the latched position. The arm 32 of the gate section B is adapted to be engaged by a cam carried on a pin 33 slidablein a vertical opening 64 in the body section A. The pin 33 may be operated by an actuating member 61 similar to the member 40 described above and may be normally yieldingly held in an up position free of the arm 32 by a spring (32. The cam 60 projects radially from one side of the pin 33 and is adapted to slidably operate in either of two diametrically opposite longitudinal keyways 63 in the walls of the pin carrying opening 64;. The lower end of the cam 60 is rounded to cooperate with the cam faces 36 of the arm 32. The keyways (33 are provided at the inner and outer sides of the opening 3% relative to the center of the elevator and byarranging the pin 33 so that the cam 60 is in the keyway 63 atthe inner side of the opening 34 the cam (30 is operable to engage the cam face 35 at the outer side of the arm 82 to swing the gate section B to the closed position. When the cam 60 is arranged in the keyway G3 at the outer side of the opening 6th it is adapted to engage the cam face 35 on the inner side of the arm 32 to actuate the gate section B to the closed position upon downward movement of the pin 33. It will be obvious that the cam 60 may be arranged in either of the keyways 63 so that engagement of the actuating member 61 with the coupling 18 will cause either inward or outward operation of the gate section B as desired.

It is believed that the utility and operation of the elevator provided by the present invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description. In normal operation the gate section B may be manually operated to the fully closed position where the part 27 cooperates with the lug 26 to releasably hold it in retaining position around the pipe P. When the elevator is operated to engage a coupling 18 with the gate section B in the fully closed position, the pin 33 is operated downwardly and does not engage or cooperate with the arm 32. In the event that the coupling 18 engages the member l0 when the gate section B is in a partially operated position where the lug 26 is in ineffective engagement with the latch or is adjacent the latch,.the lower end of the pin engages the cam face at the inner edge of the arm 32 and forces the gate section B to the fully closed position. In the event that the coupling 18 engages the member 40 when the gate section B is in a position where its outer end is spaced a considerable distance from the latch 25, the lower pointed end of the pin engages the cam face 35 at the outer edge of the arm 32 to operate the gate section B to a fully open position. When the gate section B is swung to the open position, the arm 32 engages the drill pipe P to fully disengage the sections A and B of the elevator from the drill pipe so that they will not engage the coupling 18 to raise the pipe.

It is to be noted that the invention provides an elevator that is particularly safe and dependable in operation. The means D for automatically actuating the gate section B does not in any way interfere with i the normal manual operation of the gate section B. The gate operating means D prevents cngagement of the elevator with a coupling, or the like, on a drill pipe when the gate section is not properly latched. Engagement of the member 40 with the coupling when the gate section B is in a position where the latch is in ineffective engagement with the lug 26 positively operates the gate section B to the fully closed and retaining position.

Having described only typical, preferred forms of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope ofthe following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An elevator including, two sectionsadapted to engage around an object, and means operable by a projection on the object to either operate the sections together around the object or to disengage the sections from the object.

2. An elevator including, two sections adapted to engage around an object, and means operable by a projection on the object to either operate the sections together around the object or to disengage the sections from the object including, a part rigidly connected with one section, and a member movably carried by the other section operable by the projection to engage the said part.

3. An elevator including, two sections adapted to engage around an object, and means operable by a projection on the object to either operate the sections together around the object or to disengage the sections from the object including, a part on one section having oppositely inclined faces. and a member carried by the other section operable by the projection to engage either of the said faces depending upon the relative positions of the sections during actuation of the member.

4. An elevator including, two sections adapted to engage around an object. and means operable by a projection on the object to either operate the sections together around the object or to disengage the sections from the object including, an arm projecting horizontally from one section and having upwardly converging sides, and :1

pin slidably carried by the other section operable by the projection to engage either side of the arm.

5. An elevator including, two pivotally' connected sections adapted to engage aroundan object, means for automatically latching the free ends of the sections together to hold the sections around the object, and means operable by a projection on the object to operate the sections together to actuate the first mentioned means or to operate the free ends of the sections apart to release the sections from the object.

7. An elevator including, tWo pivotally connected sections adapted to engage around an object, means for automatically latching the free ends of the sections together to hold the sections around the object, and means operable by a projection on the object to operate the sections together to actuate the first mentioned means or to operate the free ends of the sections apart to release the sections from the object including, an arm on one section, oppositely inclined cam faces on the arm, and a pin slidably carried by the other section operable by the projection to engage either of the cam faces.

8. An elevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted to engagearound an object, means for automatically latching the free ends of the sections together to hold the sections around the object, and means operable by a projection on the object to operate the sections together to actuate the first mentioned means or to operate the free ends of the sections apart to release the sections from the object including, an arm projeciing from one section, oppositely inclined cam faces on the arm, a pin slidably carried by the other section operable by the projection to engage either of the cam faces, and means yieldingly holding the pin free of the arm.

9. An elevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted to engage around an object, means for automatically latching the free ends of the sections together to hold the sections around the object, and means operable by a projection on the object to operate the sections together to actuate the first mentioned means or to operate the freeends of the sections apartto release the sections from'the object including, an arm on one section, oppositelyinclin'cd cam faces 011 the arm, a pin slidably carried by the other section, a member engagable by the projection for-actuating the pin, and means yieldingly holding the pin free of the arm.

10. Anelevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted to engage around an object, means for automatically latching the free ends of the sections together to hold the sections around the object, and means operable bya projection on the object to operate the sections togetherto actuate the first mentioned means or to operate the free ends of the sections apart to release the sections from the object including, an arm on one section adapted to engage the object When the free ends of the sections are spaced apart, oppositely inclined cam faces on the arm and a pin slidably carried by the other section operable by the projection to engage either of the cam faces.

11. An elevator including, a body having an openlng adapted to receive an object, a gate plvoted to the body adapted to close the opening to retain an object in the open- 1ng, a latch for automatically releasably holdlng the gate in the closed position, and means operable by a projection on the object to svving the. gate to the closed position or to d1sengage the body and gate from the ob ect.

12. An elevator including, a body having an opening adapted to receive an object, a gate pivoted to the body adapted to close the opemng to retain an object in the openmg, a latch for automatically releasably holding the gate in the closed position, and means operable by a projection on the obpect to swing the gate to the closed position or to disengage the body and gate from the ob ect including, an arm on the gate, oppositely inclined faces on the arm, and a p n slldably carried by the body operable by the projection to engage the faces.

13. An elevator including, an opening adapted to receive an object, a gate pivoted to the body adapted to close the opening to retain an object in the open- 1ng, a latch for automatically releasably holding the means operable by a projection on the obect to swing the gate to the closed position or to disengage the body and gate from the ob ect including, positely inclined faces on the arm, a slidably carried by the body operable by the pro ection to engage the faces, and means normally yieldingly holding the pin free of the arm.

a body having 1 '1! gate 111 the closed position, and

an arm on the gate, opin J I means operable by a projection on the object to swing the gate to the closed position or to disengage the body and gate from the object including, an arm on the gate adapted to engage the object when the gate is in the open position, oppositely inclined faces on the arm, and a pin slidably carried by the body operable by the projection to engage the faces.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 23rd day of May, 1930.

CHARLES E. WILCOX. 

